Lemieux announces $1 million for Ontario agriculture

Pierre Lemieux, Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced $1 million in federal funding for Ontario agriculture on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. While announcing the funding, Lemieux met Horace Nixon from Vankleek Hill in the stands.

PHOTO CREDIT - Office of MP Pierre Lemieux

Glengarry - November 14, 2011 - Pierre Lemieux, Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced $1 million in federal funding for Ontario agriculture on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.

This government investment will help local farmers boost sales and enhance competitiveness abroad.

“Our Conservative government is making strategic investments in Ontario’s livestock and grain sectors to improve their competitiveness in foreign markets,” said Parliamentary Secretary Lemieux. “The farmers in my riding will benefit from these initiatives which will help to grow their businesses.”

This help to farmers will come in the form of several investments, including $650,000 to support traceability initiatives in Ontario’s livestock sector and $250,000 for poultry and Ontario wheat farmers to increase their exports.

The Chicken Farmers of Ontario is receiving $120,000 through the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP) to enhance Ontario’s poultry farmers’ readiness to contain any potential disease outbreak. Another $130,000 is being provided under the same program to Wing’s Food Products of Toronto, which will enable Ontario wheat growers to market their produce to North American noodle and cookie makers and other foreign markets. Both these investments, delivered through the Agricultural Adaptation Council in Ontario, will also help poultry and wheat farmers boost their export potential.

One hundred and fifty thousand dollars will be invested through the AgriMarketing Program to promote the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair internationally and establish the International Business Centre. The Business Centre provides Canadian farmers with a professional, business-friendly environment to meet with national and international buyers.

Now entering its 88th year, the fair has a long history of attracting international participation by showcasing Ontario’s farm exports. Last year, approximately 1,000 international visitors and buyers representing more than 60 countries attended the Royal, with sales to international buyers reaching about $1 million.

“Our Government is proud to support the Canadian economy by helping our farmers create new international business opportunities,” said Mr. Lemieux. “Farmers in Glengarry-Prescott-Russell want to remain competitive and this funding will help them to expand their markets.”